Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments reduce wildfire risk in California

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management has finalized a new long-term agreement with El Dorado County to reduce the impact of wildfire near communities adjacent to BLM-managed public lands. BLM will provide an initial investment of $100,000 to the agreement starting this year, with funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“While the initial funding for these projects is being provided by BIL, additional funds and in-kind partnership contributions may also be added in the future,” said Central California District Manager Chris Heppe. “As this partnership flourishes, the BLM is excited to coordinate across land ownership boundaries and leverage additional funding for project implementation.”

The agreement includes projects that create defensible space around homes or structures on private properties adjacent to Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, including the Pine Hill Preserve and the North Fork Cosumnes River. Other projects include expanding strategic fuel breaks, performing wildland-urban interface fuels reduction treatments, and conducting community outreach and education.

The cooperative agreement could provide up to $10 million in investments over a five-year period from a variety of sources. The initial funding also supports a Firewise Community Coordinator to assist fire safe councils and communities with establishing and maintaining their Firewise USA site status.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized up to $1.5 billion for the Department of the Interior nationwide to invest in preparedness, fuels management, post-fire restoration, and fire science. So far, the Department has allocated more than $23 million in California to support BLM wildland fire projects to develop and support “fire-adapted community” programs, protect natural resources, improve infrastructure, and promote a safe environment for residents and visitors.

These efforts also support the Inflation Reduction Act, and will directly support the Department of Interior’s priorities to invest in America’s infrastructure related to wildfire preparedness and hazardous fuels management.

For more information about the BLM’s effort under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, visit www.blm.gov/infrastructure.